First-Year

First-Year Admission

Admission Process

PLU has four admission decision dates - October 15th, November 15th, December 15th and January 15th. Students who complete their application materials prior to one of these dates can expect an admission decision and notification of academic merit scholarship eligibility prior to the next decision date. Applications received after February 1st will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Academic Recommendation - from a qualified person familiar with your academic record such as a principal, teacher, or counselor.

Admission Criteria

PLU welcomes applications from students who exhibit capacities for success at the university level. Admission to PLU is competitive. We look for students who:

Demonstrate success in a challenging college preparatory curriculum

Desire academic and personal challenges

Communicate clearly

Exhibit leadership and service in their community, church or school

Will share unique or special talents

Each application is reviewed based on grade point average, class rank, transcript patterns, standardized test scores, personal essay, and an academic recommendation.

Applications for admission are evaluated without regard to race, color, national origin, creed, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, disabling conditions, financial resources or any other status protected by law.

Standardized Tests

Freshman applicants will need to take either the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) or the American College Test (ACT). To be eligible for all PLU scholarships, you will want to take the test by November of your senior year. For more information about these standardized tests, see your high school college counselor. To have your scores sent directly to PLU from a testing agency, please use the following codes: SAT: 4597, ACT: 4470.

Weighted GPA

When reviewing applications of prospective freshmen, PLU computes an “Admission GPA” for the applicant. The Admission GPA weights classes that are identified on the high school transcript as International Baccalaureate (IB), Advanced Placement (AP), Honors, or Accelerated. This weighted GPA will be used throughout the admission, financial aid, and scholarship process. If the applicant’s high school produces their own weighted GPA, the admission office will use the better of the two. The maximum GPA for PLU admission and financial aid purposes is 4.00.

Required Prep Courses

Mathematics - Two years of college prep math with an average grade of C or higher*

Foreign Language - Two years of the same language with an average grade of C or higher*

English - Four years

Social Studies - Two years

Laboratory Science - Two years

Visual or Performing Arts - One year

Electives - Three years (selected from the areas listed above, as well as courses in computer science, speech and debate)

*If you are deficient in the math or foreign language entrance requirements, but are admissible by all other criteria, you may still be offered admission. You will be required to complete the deficiencies during your first year at PLU.

Advanced Credit Policies

If you have participated in Washington State Running Start, Advanced Placement (AP) exams, or International Baccalaureate (IB) exams, you may be eligible for college credit. PLU accepts Running Start credits as college credits, and awards up to 30 semester hours for AP and IB exam results. Advanced credit policies »

International Honors Program

The International Honors Program is an academically rigorous program rooted in PLU’s emphasis on liberal arts education, and allows students to fulfill General Education Requirements through challenging, creative, and interdisciplinary coursework. IHON courses explore contemporary issues and their historical foundations through an interdisciplinary, multi-national approach. Learn More »

School of Nursing Conditional Admission Program

Students interested in Nursing are encouraged to apply for the School of Nursing’s Conditional Admission Program. Through this program, a select number of incoming full time, first-year students will be guaranteed admission (after completion of several academic requirements) to the School of Nursing’s BSN program starting their second year. Learn More »

Through this program, students who express an interest in business are admitted to the School of Business as an ‘Open Business’ major. To guarantee their spot in the School of Business, students must maintain a 2.5 GPA and successfully complete five pre-business core courses by the end of their sophomore year. Learn More »